another factor, a spending poll says superstorm sandy hit sales in the mid-atlantic region in early november. after-christmas spending should help a bit, but the impact is limited because a lot of people using gift cards and making returns. the national retail federation says we typically return $60 billion worth of merchandise after christmas, so early indications seem to show that holiday sales are looking like the rest of the economy, growing but not outstanding. joe? >> alison kosik. >>> as it comes to a close, we remember 2012 as a year of surprises. a south korean rapper gets newfound fame thanks to youtube and rihanna and chris brown back together again? cnn's top ten showbiz stories of the year are just ahead. i spend long hours with her checking her heart rate, administering her medication, and just making her comfortable. one night britta told me about a tradition in denmark, "when a person dies," she said, "someone must open the window so the soul can depart." i smiled and squeezed her hand. "not tonight, britta. not tonight." [ female announcer ] to nurses everywhere, thank you,